Savannah To "Up The Cup" On New Year's Eve

Orlando Montoya

Updated: 3 years ago.

It might be five o'clock somewhere. But at midnight on New Years Eve, Savannah residents will raise their cups to a giant replica of the humble 6 oz. plastic cup. It's a drinking tradition in Savannah known as the "to go" cup. (photo VRLobo888)

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At the stroke of midnight, when New York drops its ball and Atlanta drops its peach, Savannah will raise its cup.

Merchants on the historic waterfront are sponsoring the night of revelry, which celebrates both the new year and Savannah's cherished tradition of being able to drink on the streets year-round.

The six-foot-tall steel and plastic cup replicates those taken "to go" from bars.

"We were all trying to come up with an idea of what to do for New Year's Eve and one of the things you think about when you're in a party mood in Savannah is the 'to go' cup," says Carrie Bligh of the Savannah Waterfront Association. "It's going to be a fun thing, like popping open a bottle of champagne."

Savannah officials have tweaked their alcohol ordinances over the years to curb drinking excesses, especially those on display during the city's large St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Bligh isn't afraid the event will be seen as promoting alcohol consumption.